Pet'n The Kitty
(North County)

This Trophy was taken by
Steve

I told my little girl to pet him while momma took pictures. I just LOVE her "Don't mess with me" facial expression. Boys beware!

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My bow is getting re-tuned but I couldn't resist a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Blew the dust of the old 30-30 and crawled into the rifle stand.

Eventually I spotted 3 bucks coming in. A barely forked 4, a small 6, and one nice legal 8 BUT he was young. I just couldn't pull the trigger. I've shot (and shot at) many things with my bow, but I have yet to take a mature buck. So, I let him walk away hoping he makes it till next year.

About 5:15 I spotted this bobcat crossing the corner of the field. I hesitated at first wondering if I'd have another chance at him with my bow (you can read about that in the Outdoor Forum). Then figured my encounter was few and far between so grabbed the rifle and got situated for a shot.

He was at a descent walk. Between getting situated and shooting at a moving target I must have flinched on the first shot. Bullet hit behind him. He stopped and looked at the ground. This gave me a time to cycle another shell. I thought it was odd that he didn't bolt, but started a fast trot toward the brush. I followed him with the scope, led him a little, and had him walk into the shot.

He went down right at the edge of the brush but managed to pull himself up with his two front paws and drag himself toward the brush just out of view.

I crawled out of my stand to finish him off. When I reached him he was out. I tapped him with my boot to make sure. He drug himself about 5 yards from where I hit him. The bullet went in just behind the right shoulder and the exited about mid body since he wasn't completely broadside. That 30 cal left a huge hole in him and I was amazed he was able to move at all. It shows how tough these animals really are.

He measured 31 inches long from his head to the tip of his tail. If I measured from his head to his rear end (not counting his tail) he was 26 inches. I did a little research and this is better than average.

I know he's not alone. Last year I saw his daddy and he's HUGE. He crossed a field one evening at dusk and started walking down the brush line toward me. I drew back and situated myself for a shot while he was about 60 yards out but he spotted me and hit the brush. I haven't seen him since. I was on a tripod in full camo with brush around me so he must be that big for a reason. Who knows, maybe me and the Bowtech will be able to outsmart him and find him 20 yards or less one day?